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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Welcome to the Bluestocking! It is celebration time for everyone!

515 replies

MyrtleLion · 13/10/2026 18:05

Welcome to The Bluestocking, the best (perhaps only) online women’s pub. The sign on the door says CELEBRATION, in glitter, and the gerbils have been told they may use as much glitter as they like.

The champagne is flowing, and it is the good kind. Every bubble is perfectly fizzy, every glass is bottomless, and nobody wakes up with a headache or a vague memory of singing to a coat rack. You may toast as many times as you wish and remain entirely clear-headed, sharp-witted and ready to explain your point again, louder, with hand gestures.

The gerbil crew has gone all out. There are bunting-laden tunnels, a tiny brass band that knows many tunes and play them with total conviction, and a head gerbil in a waistcoat who will announce your achievement to the whole room if you hand over a sunflower seed. Several gerbils have been practising a synchronised pouring routine. Two of them have already collided with the canapés, and the canapés are fine.

Whatever you are celebrating, a win, a finish, a survived meeting, a Tuesday, pull up a stool and raise a glass. The corks are popping, the confetti is mostly staying in the building, and everyone here is on your side.

Any curious menfolk are welcome at the Staunch Ally down the road, where they are invited to cheer from a respectful distance.

Cheers, everyone. The next round is on the gerbils.

Previous thread is here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5582462-the-bluestocking-where-we-look-forward-to-good-things-happening-both-soon-and-later

The Bluestocking, where we look forward to good things happening, both soon and later. | Mumsnet

Welcome to The Bluestocking, the best (perhaps only) online women's pub. Nothing in the food or drink can harm you, everything is served by a very ent...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5582462-the-bluestocking-where-we-look-forward-to-good-things-happening-both-soon-and-later

OP posts:
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64
MyrtleLion · 14/10/2026 21:33

Did you think I'd forgotten?

Or were teasing you with making you wait for the next chapter?

Of course not. It turns out one aspect of womanning in the arena has resulted in an ACTUAL RESPONSE. I fully expect that it will end up being ignored or minimised or reduced to nothing, BUT action has been taken and I can expect an investigation AND a written response.

Also we have booked a Friday to Monday weekend break in a lovely hotel on a beach and the deal includes dinner and proper breakfast. We will leave late afternoon on Monday once the Walrus has had his back cyst drained and dressed for the zillionth time - hence we won't be going to a spa or a hotel with a pool because other people might object. But we are going away and it will be lovely and I hope to have enough peace and quiet to write more Gosie chapters.

Anyway, Gosie's on her way, sorry it's quite late...

OP posts:
DeanElderberry · 14/10/2026 21:03

They're all grown up now, and they were very sweet. But yes, strictly no more males in the Bluestocking

Welcome to the Bluestocking! It is celebration time for everyone!
Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 20:31

ErrolTheDragon · 14/10/2026 20:25

Long before the gerbils showed up, the Bluestocking had a paddock with goats and donkeys, and various cats and dogs indoors - including of course, Colin the Dachshund. The ‘no male animals rule’ is entirely down to the gerbils, and not Colin’s fault, but the less said about that now the better.

And why we no longer have a safe in the store cupboard.

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 20:29

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/10/2026 20:25

I accidentally set the AI to 'Stating the bleeding obvious' mode.

I'll put it back on 'Subtle' or 'Creative'. Sorry!

What a lovely personalised plaque.

ErrolTheDragon · 14/10/2026 20:25

MarieDeGournay · 14/10/2026 18:49

Eh?? I missed that😮

Have you brought back One of Everything for the Bluestocking menagerie, Woley?😄

Continuing the census - tree kangaroos. a puggle. some kind of dormouse that does the surveillance side of security. a very very friendly quokka who reads tiny green books, though not Col Gaddafi's Little Green Book, she assures me!

Basically, it started with the gerbils, but soon it was anything cute and furry 😁

Long before the gerbils showed up, the Bluestocking had a paddock with goats and donkeys, and various cats and dogs indoors - including of course, Colin the Dachshund. The ‘no male animals rule’ is entirely down to the gerbils, and not Colin’s fault, but the less said about that now the better.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/10/2026 20:25

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 20:13

She likes prizes, pickles and popcorn so she has defuzzed.

Gaynor is just giving her a quick smooth down with the soft brush.

I accidentally set the AI to 'Stating the bleeding obvious' mode.

I'll put it back on 'Subtle' or 'Creative'. Sorry!

Welcome to the Bluestocking! It is celebration time for everyone!
MarieDeGournay · 14/10/2026 20:19

AMansAManForAllThat · 14/10/2026 20:08

I’ll try not to talk too loud or spread myself about, Gracie! I checked my Wooly name, I was PrizedPickledPopcorn.

Hello and welcome/welcome back, AMan.
I think your name is fun, it's so wrong it's right!

I suppose you could change just one letter and be AMamsAMamForAllThat
😁

Sorry to hear about your dodgy back, Cher, hope it get sorted without too much yelping with pain😬

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 20:13

AMansAManForAllThat · 14/10/2026 20:08

I’ll try not to talk too loud or spread myself about, Gracie! I checked my Wooly name, I was PrizedPickledPopcorn.

She likes prizes, pickles and popcorn so she has defuzzed.

Gaynor is just giving her a quick smooth down with the soft brush.

AMansAManForAllThat · 14/10/2026 20:08

I’ll try not to talk too loud or spread myself about, Gracie! I checked my Wooly name, I was PrizedPickledPopcorn.

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 20:05

EmpressaurusKitty · 14/10/2026 19:52

Are you new to the BS or on a namechange, @AMansAManForAllThat?

We can’t shorten your name to Man, I don’t think. It sounds wrong in here.

Poor Gracie, the one with the bad nerves, just heard Man and suddenly all her fur looked like she'd been rubbing up against balloons. Apparently it's a nervous reaction to the

M

A

N

Word.

AMansAManForAllThat · 14/10/2026 19:59

And I haven’t spent long at the Blue Stocking, just popped in and out at intervals.

AMansAManForAllThat · 14/10/2026 19:58

Very true, @EmpressaurusKitty . I go by many, but used this on a Sandie Peggie thread, I believe. Someone posted an amazing video of <wracks brains futilely> a pop star bloke singing ‘a man’s a man for a’that!’.

But you’re right. I’ll retire it. Might even dig out an old one, there’s a LangCleg solidarity name tucked away somewhere.

EmpressaurusKitty · 14/10/2026 19:52

Are you new to the BS or on a namechange, @AMansAManForAllThat?

We can’t shorten your name to Man, I don’t think. It sounds wrong in here.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/10/2026 19:51

Yup, T-shirt, cotton or linen skirt, bare legs, open window & if it's cold - like really, REALLY cold - a cardigan for five minutes before it gets too much & I shed it.

Love the HP crochet but I think it's beyond me.

AMansAManForAllThat · 14/10/2026 19:16

Obviously those who are perpetually hot may not need a blanket! I’m a fan of a cold house and a warm blanket.

AMansAManForAllThat · 14/10/2026 19:16

So, on a Woolly Hugs thread I got the distinct impression that there was cross fertilisation round here. So, in the interested of there being crafters and JKR fans here, I thought I’d mention this Sirdar Harry Potter CAL … I may have ordered one. Does anyone want to join in? I’m hoping to learn some skills for a future Wooly Hug.

https://www.thewoolfactory.co.uk/harry-potter---journey-to-hogwarts---sirdar-crochet-along-2026-cal-kit-102268-p.asp

Harry Potter™ - Journey to Hogwarts™ - Sirdar Crochet Along 2026 CAL Kit

*Please note kits will not be dispatched until Monday 19th October. SIRDAR Harry Potter™ Journey to Hogwarts™ Blanket CROCHET ALONG OFFICIAL YARN

https://www.thewoolfactory.co.uk/harry-potter---journey-to-hogwarts---sirdar-crochet-along-2026-cal-kit-102268-p.asp

AngleofRepose · 14/10/2026 19:12

Windows open, still wearing Tshirts, although there have been a few layers late at night. My house is cold all year round. I have been wearing shorts lately, though, when out and about, because I overheat unless it's around 12C out.

Yum, a fleece, and shorts and my skinny legs, what style and charisma... (do I care what I look like anymore? NOT.)

EdithStourton · 14/10/2026 19:10

AngleofRepose · 14/10/2026 19:08

Oh, not the wrenching thing... that'll sort it, although you'd think they'd have come up with something better by now! 🌺

I see a physio quite regularly,
I'm sure my screams of pain ring down the street outside.

Whatever she does though, it works.

EdithStourton · 14/10/2026 19:08

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 18:31

Ick inducing level of slope

Agreeed.

AngleofRepose · 14/10/2026 19:08

Chersfrozenface · 14/10/2026 17:06

Just popping in to say hi. And have a hot chocolate with rather a lot of brandy in it.

Have been to see a chiropractor about the buggered back. Not too serious, apparently. Will be sorted with a bit of massage and that wrenching thing and quite a lot of money. Not sure I'm keen on the application of ice packs, though.

Oh, not the wrenching thing... that'll sort it, although you'd think they'd have come up with something better by now! 🌺

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 18:55

MarieDeGournay · 14/10/2026 18:49

Eh?? I missed that😮

Have you brought back One of Everything for the Bluestocking menagerie, Woley?😄

Continuing the census - tree kangaroos. a puggle. some kind of dormouse that does the surveillance side of security. a very very friendly quokka who reads tiny green books, though not Col Gaddafi's Little Green Book, she assures me!

Basically, it started with the gerbils, but soon it was anything cute and furry 😁

The quokkaas are too unreliable though. Yes they are exceptionally happy, and cute, but then they piss off down under for 11 months.

It turns out the Bluestocking is merely their holiday villa.

MarieDeGournay · 14/10/2026 18:49

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 18:13

We've on to semi naked men over there!

Eh?? I missed that😮

Have you brought back One of Everything for the Bluestocking menagerie, Woley?😄

Continuing the census - tree kangaroos. a puggle. some kind of dormouse that does the surveillance side of security. a very very friendly quokka who reads tiny green books, though not Col Gaddafi's Little Green Book, she assures me!

Basically, it started with the gerbils, but soon it was anything cute and furry 😁

Welcome to the Bluestocking! It is celebration time for everyone!
Welcome to the Bluestocking! It is celebration time for everyone!
Welcome to the Bluestocking! It is celebration time for everyone!
Welcome to the Bluestocking! It is celebration time for everyone!
Thehorticulturalhussie · 14/10/2026 18:44

Chersfrozenface · 14/10/2026 17:48

What a sensible pelican. Do we have pelicans and dolphins in the inlet that is always close to the Bluestocking in case Swashy calls round?

We do. And last time we anchored The Virago in the inlet I spotted some very beautiful manatees and turtles. They're keeping an eye on the galleon for me and keeping the hull clean.

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 18:41

Magpiecomplex · 14/10/2026 18:34

I went looking. He's a Cardassian, clearly.

Definitely

Magpiecomplex · 14/10/2026 18:34

Boiledbeetle · 14/10/2026 18:31

Ick inducing level of slope

I went looking. He's a Cardassian, clearly.

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